An in-form Port Adelaide travel to the MCG this Saturday night with the hope of keeping one foot inside the top four, up against a lowly Melbourne outfit who have lost their last three games.
The Demons (10-10, 97.9%) are holding on to quite literally the faintest of odds that they can still somehow make finals this season, and are in dire need of a win to boost their plummeting confidence.
Meanwhile, the Power (13-7, 113.6%) are fresh off the back of their unbelievable 112-point win over the ladder-leading Swans last Saturday night – well and truly on a high.
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Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has rung the changes, naming four additions to his side for the absolute must-win clash.
Christian Salem, Adam Tomlinson, Marty Hore and Jack Billings all return for the red and the blue, with as Steven May (ribs), while Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Blake Howes and Taj Woewodin were omitted.
The Power made just the one change, with Mitch Georgiades (quad) replaced by Todd Marshall up forward.
The match gets underway at 7:30pm AEST from the MCG.
Watch it live on Fox Sports 503, streaming on Kayo and via Hubbl from 7:20pm AEST.
MELBOURNE v PORT ADELAIDE – LIVE UPDATES
The final teams and substitutes for each side will be announced one hour before the first bounce at 6:30pm AEST.
Both teams blew chances early in the game to hit the scoreboard in the early parts of a chaotic game.
Bayley Frsitsch finally broke the deadlock midway through the opening period, converting a tough snap goal to get the Demons on the board.
Ed Langdon added another for the home side in a promising start for Melbourne, with Port Adelaide slow to get going.
Jason Horne-Francis finally kicked Port’s first goal with under five minutes left in the opening term.
Port led by one point at the first change, 2.4 (16) to 2.3 (13).
Horne-Francis looked ominous in forward 50, kicking a second goal early in the second term to give Port an eight-point lead.
Clayton Oliver, moved to a half back role, came under scrutiny by pundits for a couple of defensive efforts in the third term.
“I know Simon Goodwin is trying something with Clayton Olivier off half back, but it’s just not working. Whoever he rolls onto becomes the most dangerous effort for Port,” Cats great Cameron Ling said of Oliver on Channel 7.
Former Collingwood and Carlton star Dale Thomas added: “Those last three efforts at any level aren’t good enough. ‘Clarry’ (Oliver) is going to come off and get that direct feedback from the coach.”
Kysaiah Pickett gave Melbourne the lead back to continue a strong showing from the gun forward.
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Source Agencies
